Member Q&A with Kelsey Kotnik
The PRSA Hoosier Chapter is conducting member profiles throughout the year to facilitate connections within the Chapter. We are pleased to introduce Kelsey Kotnik.
Name: Kelsey Kotnik
Position: Marketing and Business Development Specialist
Employer: Ice Miller LLP
College Attended: Ball State University
PRSA Position: Luncheons Co-chair
Q: What it means to you to be a PRSA board member/volunteer:
It’s very fulfilling to be part of a group of people who are passionate about our profession. Volunteering with PRSA Hoosier gives me a deeper level of professional development, and I’ve gained many rewarding friendships along the way.
Q: Is there a specific cause or non-profit for which you advocate?
I volunteer with WFYI. Its programming connects the entire community and means a lot to kids and adults. I learned a lot from Arthur as a kid, and now I stay in the know with WFYI’s radio during my evening commute. Selfishly, volunteering gets me into a lot of cool events and playing with adorable kids. I’m just going to leave this here… www.wfyi.org/volunteer-with-wfyi
Q: What are you reading now (or have read in the past) that you think other PRSA members would be interested in?
“Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office,” by Lois P. Frankel, PhD. It explains unconscious mistakes women make that hold them back. It gives advice for how to propose ideas assertively and be seen as a leader.
For example, it made me realize that every time I received praise, I responded with some sort of negating comment to show why my actions weren’t a big deal. Instead, I now consciously just say “Thank you.”
Q: What do you wish you had known earlier in your career?
A big element in establishing your career is the work-life balance habits that accompany it. Don’t use your career as an excuse to neglect the other important parts of your life.
Q: Who is your role model and why?
Debbie Davis, another PRSA member and professor at Ball State. She has mentored many PR professionals of all levels, including myself. On many occasions I have seen her consciously go out of her way to support a colleague, student or friend. She sees the value in ongoing PR education and being involved with the profession. She has her APR, ABC, and just recently was named to the PRSA College of Fellows! On top of all of that, she is an awesome mom who is very involved with her kids’ lives. Talk about #LifeGoals!
Q: What’s one PR rule that you live by?
The four step campaign process: Research, planning, implementation, evaluation. Everything in life follows this process, from making dinner to finding a job.